Reiki
fora (/forums) are 'virtual' micro-communities, and just like
their 'real world' counterparts, are dynamic - in a constant state
of flux.

Fora
arise; some become popular, some do not.

Some are cliquish, limiting their focus to a particular lineage
or Reiki Ryoho style, while others are more open and inclusive.

Some arise in response to a specific need, or for a very specific
purpose - only to dissolve back into the electronic ether once
more when that purpose has been achieved.

Others, simply lose their dynamism, and are gradually abandoned
to the 'tumbleweeds' - their one-time members having moved on
to other, newly-discovered and seemingly more vital, more relevant,
manifestations of the online Reiki community

Certainly over the last decade, the number of Reiki fora has increased
exponentially - more recently it seems, there has been particular
growth in Indonesian Reiki-fora - in itself a clear indication
of the recent surge of interest in the therapeutic discipline
in this part of the world.

For
many practitioners, especially (though not solely) those
for whom the journey with Reiki has only recently begun, fora
can play an important role.

They
provide an all-important sense of community. They are a source
of access to the views and personal experience of others; a medium
for eliciting feedback, help and advice - essentially, they provide
a support mechanism.

They
offer the opportunity to participate in wide-ranging (and yes,
often heated) discussion on of all manner of Reiki-related
topics.

They can be an effective tool for the exchange and dissemination
a wide variety of Reiki-related information; including up-to-the-minute
news concerning events, offline-meetings, legal issues impacting
on professional practice, etc, etc.

And
many fora also function as 'distance' healing-lists, where practitioners
and non-practitioners alike can come to request therapeutic intervention
for themselves or others.

Particularly
for those who are practising Reiki Ryoho in places where they
do not have the opportunity of meeting 'hand to hand' with fellow
practitioners, fora are commonly the primary (and in some cases
the only) medium of post-training contact with like-minded
souls.

Recognising
this fact, several Reiki teachers do utilise private fora via
which to keep in touch with their own personal students - providing
ongoing support, access to updated teaching materials, etc, etc.

Of course, there are also many practitioners who perhaps have
not managed, for whatever reasons, to remain in communication
with the individuals from whom they have received Initiation.

Or alternatively, have simply never received any form of
'hand to hand' Initiation (- let alone training) in the first
place - having instead participated in online 'distance' Reiki
Initiation.
(A concept that is itself a topic of often heated debate
on Reiki fora!)

Certainly,
for people in this latter category, fora are in many cases their
sole source of training materials, and instruction in the practice
of Reiki Ryoho.

Now while for many, the thinking is that we should use whatever
means available to 'get Reiki out there' to as many people as
possible, I personally feel that in attempting to do so, we as
teachers, must not lose sight of our Duty of Care to those who
come to us seeking Initiation

-
a Duty of Care, irrespective of whether we provide this
service with or without charge.

It
is perhaps all too easy for some to simply pass the 'attunement'
element of the Initiation and then leave the student to rely solely
on 'virtual' sources for their training instruction and informational
resources.

Yet
to my mind, such an approach cannot be viewed as a viable alternative
to 'hand to hand' training and development.

Of course, Reiki fora can also provide a very positive
point of 'interactive first contact' for many people seeking to
venture into the world of Reiki Ryoho:

A place where people, drawn towards the possibility of integrating
therapeutic and / or spiritual elements of Reiki Ryoho into their
lives, can visit and be made to feel welcome.

Where
they can ask their questions, get a 'feel' for things - and when
they feel ready, move forward to Initiation and well-presented
formal training.

There are some very active fora where quite a high percentage
of the membership is made up of people who, although having previously
been aware of Reiki Ryoho, possibly would not have taken the life-changing
step into initiation and training, had it not been for the interaction
with, and support provided by, the other members of these online
Reiki communities...

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Disclaimer:
The contents of this site is for general information only. James
Deacon does not necessarily endorse the methodology, techniques
or philosophy of individual modalities detailed herein, and accepts
no liability for the use or misuse of any practice or exercise
on this site, or ones linked to this site.